Not In Vain: The Life of Ernie Fowler

Not in Vain
Kenneth D. MacHarg & David M. Howard
Latin America Mission, 2003

(I was asked to review this book by Jack Voelkel of Urbana’s “Ask Jack” column.”)

Reviewed by Kevin Book-Satterlee

Many young missionaries have heard the words of Jim Elliot and not been moved into missions: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” David Howard, Jim Elliot’s good friend and brother-in-law agrees. Yet Howard asks, “Why Jim and not my other friend, Ernie Fowler.” Why have people been moved by Jim’s story, yet not by a similar missionary tragedy in the life and death of Latin America Missionary, Ernie Fowler? To address this question, Howard co-writes, Not in Vain, a tribute to the legacy of Ernie Fowler and the longevity of his missional impact.

This short book is a quick read, largely taken from Ernie’s own journals or that of his friends. The pioneer missionary does nothing short but amaze, especially to the comfortable lifestyle many missionaries have in comparison. The account of one of Ernie’s jungle adventures where two of his co-laborers got sick after hiking in the jungle for a month to find the Yukpa tribe and begin missional work there is a fantastic read in itself.

The story of Ernie’s life reflects the attitude of true pioneers humbled by the Gospel in order to serve, and compelled by the Gospel in order to reach those who have not yet heard of Christ. His humble attitude made him the man who could tamper with mission outpost electricity to get it working all the while being compelled to hike deep into the jungles to love a people relatively unreached and unloved by the rest of the world.

Ernie dies tragically in a high-turmoil time of Colombia’s history. Shot by marauders and guerrillas, Ernie’s legacy of ministry and witness to the Yukpa people did not diminish. The work goes on, as the story relates, and the life of Ernie Fowler was indeed not a life in vain. This short work highlighting a missionary hero, humble and compelled, is a good read especially for those interested in missions. Those with a pioneer spirit will be compelled by the very humility and love that compelled this fallen missionary.

The book itself sometimes seems to function as a modern hagiography. Proposed dialogue makes the story more of a dialogue, but can at times be a bit hokey. It is a short read, as Fowler’s life was relatively short. Most importantly, however, this little biography is a great tool in instructing missions. Fowler’s life is instructive in the faith of God and the passion to accomplishing God’s mission.

This book would be especially good to inspire the teenager interested in missions (if parents can be comfortable letting their child read about a dangerous life). Fowler’s missionary life and attitude is a legacy of service for work done in Colombia and the book is worth the lacking dialogue just to get to know Ernie Fowler’s testimony.